Hindu Perspectives

Hindu Perspectives Hindu Beliefs Dialogue Education THIS CD HAS BEEN PRODUCED FOR TEACHERS TO USE IN THE CLASSROOM. IT IS A CONDITION OF THE USE OF THIS CD THAT IT BE USED ONLY BY THE PEOPLE FROM SCHOOLS THAT HAVE PURCHASED THE CD ROM FROM DIALOGUE EDUCATION. (THIS DOES NOT PROHIBIT ITS USE ON A SCHOOL’S INTRANET).

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Hinduism refers to a religious mainstream which evolved organically and spread over a large territory marked by significant ethnic and cultural diversity. Hindu Beliefs

Hinduism grants absolute and complete freedom of belief and worship. Hindu Beliefs

Prominent themes in Hindu beliefs include, Dharma (ethics/duties), Samsāra (The continuing cycle of birth, life, death and rebirth), Karma (action and subsequent reaction), Moksha (liberation from samsara), and the various Yogas (paths or practices) Hindu Beliefs

Concepts of God The concept of God in Hinduism is complex and depends upon each individual and the tradition and philosophy followed. Hindu Beliefs

Concepts of God The Rig Veda, the oldest scripture and the mainstay of Hindu philosophy does not take a restrictive view on the fundamental question of God and the creation of universe. Hindu Beliefs

Concepts of God Most Hindus believe that the spirit or soul — the true "self" of every person, called the ātman — is eternal. Hindu Beliefs

Concepts of God The schools of Vedanta and Nyaya states that karma itself proves the existence of God. Hindu Beliefs

Concepts of God Dualistic schools understand Brahman as a Supreme Being who possesses personality, and they worship him or her thus, as Vishnu, Brahma, Shiva, or Shakti, depending upon the sect. Hindu Beliefs

Documentary- You Tube Hindu creation story Click on the image to the left. You will need to be connected to the internet to view this presentation. Enlarge to full screen.

In Bhaagawada Gita, for example, God is the sole repository of Gunas (attributes) also, as; His hands and feet are everywhere, He looks everywhere and all around, His eyes, ears and face point to all directions, and all the three worlds are surrounded by these. Hindu Beliefs

Concepts of God Atheistic doctrines dominate Hindu schools like Samkhya and Mimamsa Hindu Beliefs

Devas and avatars The Hindu scriptures refer to celestial entities called Devas (or devī in feminine form), "the shining ones", which may be translated into English as "gods" or "heavenly beings". Hindu Beliefs

Devas and avatars Hindu epics and the Puranas relate several episodes of the descent of God to Earth in corporeal form to restore dharma to society and to guide humans to moksha. Hindu Beliefs

Karma and samsara Karma translates literally as action, work, or deed, and can be described as the "moral law of cause and effect". Hindu Beliefs

Karma and samsara This cycle of action, reaction, birth, death and rebirth is a continuum called samsara. Hindu Beliefs

Karma and samsara Samsara provides ephemeral pleasures, which lead people to desire rebirth so as to enjoy the pleasures of a perishable body. Hindu Beliefs

Karma and samsara The ultimate goal of life, referred to as moksha, nirvana or samadhi, is understood in several different ways. Hindu Beliefs

Karma and samsara The exact conceptualization of moksha differs among the various Hindu schools of thought. Hindu Beliefs

Objectives of human life Classical Hindu thought accepts the following objectives of human life, that which is sought as human purpose, aim, or end, is known as the puruṣārthas: * Dharma ("righteousness, ethikos") * Artha ("livelihood, wealth") * Kāma ("sensual pleasure") * Mokṣa ("liberation, freedom (from samsara)" Hindu Beliefs

Yoga In whatever way a Hindu defines the goal of life, there are several methods (yogas) that sages have taught for reaching that goal. Hindu Beliefs

Yoga An individual may prefer one or some yogas over others, according to his or her inclination and understanding. Hindu Beliefs

Bibliography • * Delmonico, N. (2004). "The History Of Indic Monotheism And Modern Chaitanya Vaishnavism". The Hare Krishna Movement: the Postcharismatic Fate of a Religious Transplant. ISBN 9780231122566. • * Elkman, S.M.; Gosvami, J. (1986). Jiva Gosvamin's Tattvasandarbha: A Study on the Philosophical and Sectarian Development of the Gaudiya Vaisnava Movement. Motilal Banarsidass Pub. • * Flood, G.D. (2006). The Tantric Body: The Secret Tradition of Hindu Religion. IB Tauris. ISBN 1845110129. • http://books.google.com/?id=mBMxPdgrBhoC&pg=PA31&dq=Vaisnava+monotheism. Retrieved 2008-04-12. • * Gupta, Ravi M. (2007). Caitanya Vaisnava Vedanta of Jiva Gosvami's Catursutri tika. Routledge. ISBN 0415405483. • * Matchett, Freda (2000). Krsna, Lord or Avatara? the relationship between Krsna and Visnu: in the context of the Avatara myth as presented by the Harivamsa, the Visnupurana and the Bhagavatapurana. Surrey: Routledge. p. 254. ISBN 0-7007-1281-X. • * Nikhilananda, Swami (1990), The Upanishads: Katha, Iśa, Kena, and Mundaka, I (5th ed.), New York: Ramakrishna-Vivekananda Center, ISBN 0-911206-15-9 • * Nikhilananda, Swami (trans.) (1992), The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna (8th ed.), New York: Ramakrishna-Vivekananda Center, ISBN 0-911206-01-9 • * Oberlies, T (1999), Die Religion des Rgveda, Vienna: Institut für Indologie der Universität Wien, ISBN 3900271321 • * Osborne, E (2005), Accessing R.E. Founders & Leaders, Buddhism, Hinduism and Sikhism Teacher's Book Mainstream, Folens Limited • * Radhakrishnan, S; Moore, CA (1967), A Sourcebook in Indian Philosophy, Princeton University Press, ISBN 0-691-01958-4 • * Wikipedia Hindu Beliefs - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hinduism

Hindu Perspectives